Old trees to be cut down

Three large Tasmanian Blue Gum trees along Nettleton Road in Karrakup will be cut down despite one Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale councillor objecting to the chop at Monday night’s meeting.

Council debated about the intended removal of the estimated 50-year-old trees, which were highly valued by the adjacent resident but were said to be a potential safety risk to utility provider Western Power.

The trees, which sit about 3.5 metres from the edge of overhead power lines, were not native to the area and were not planted by the shire.

The application had previously been before council in 2009 when it was decided no action should be taken in removing the trees.

At Monday night’s council meeting councillor Jacqui See spoke in support of the removal saying it had been an ongoing issue for several years and it was time that council dealt with the matter.

“Pruning these trees would be an ongoing cost to council, in fact in a period of three years we would have paid for the removal of these trees by not having to pay for the pruning,” she said.

Rob Coales was the only councillor who spoke against the motion citing concerns that the $3500 cost to remove the trees could be spent in better ways.

Councillors voted seven to one in support of the trees to be removed and for the wood to be donated to community groups.